Investing.com — AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN), a global pharmaceutical firm, has announced a C$820 million (US$570 million) investment in Canada, which will result in the creation of over 700 high-skilled jobs across various business areas. This investment will facilitate the company’s move to a larger, advanced office facility in the Greater Toronto Area, Ontario.
This new investment is part of AstraZeneca’s global goal to achieve US$80 billion in total revenue and to introduce 20 new medicines to patients worldwide by 2030. To date, the company has delivered eight of these new medicines. It also anticipates seven first Phase III clinical trial data readouts in 2025.
AstraZeneca has been a significant contributor to research and development in Canada, having invested more than C$230 million in 2023. This investment was primarily focused on supporting over 210 global clinical studies of new medicines and indications. Since 2023, AstraZeneca’s total investments in Canada have surpassed C$1.3 billion, generating a total of 1,200 new high-skilled jobs.
In 2024, AstraZeneca finalized a C$3 billion agreement to purchase Fusion Pharmaceuticals, a Hamilton, Ontario-based company developing next-generation radioconjugates, which hold the potential to revolutionize radiotherapy for cancer patients. This acquisition represents one of the largest research investments in a Canadian biotechnology company. These investments collectively contribute to the growth of Canada’s life sciences sector and the advancement of AstraZeneca’s global clinical studies pipeline.
Pascal Soriot, Chief Executive Officer at AstraZeneca, expressed that this investment reflects the company’s confidence in Canada’s potential as a global hub for life sciences innovation, as well as the value of collaboration with the Ontario government. He believes that the diverse talent pool, together with the network of world-class universities, hospitals, and research centers in Canada, will help bring new medicines to Canadians and patients worldwide.
Doug Ford (NYSE:F), Premier of Ontario, welcomed the announcement, calling it excellent news for Ontario. He expressed pride in his government’s support of AstraZeneca through Invest Ontario, which is contributing C$16.1 million to help bring these new, highly-skilled jobs to Ontario, thereby strengthening Ontario’s position as a global leader in life sciences and innovation.
Gaby Bourbara, President of AstraZeneca Canada, emphasized the importance of AstraZeneca’s continued investment in Ontario for the advancement of innovative medicines that treat, prevent, and potentially cure complex diseases like prostate, lung, and breast cancer, as well as rare diseases. He stated that AstraZeneca’s investment of C$820 million (US$570 million), along with the Government of Ontario’s contribution through Invest Ontario, will strengthen the Province’s life sciences strategy, promote economic growth, and foster innovation that benefits patients in Canada and around the world.
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